The Office of Ceremonies & Events is responsible for all aspects of the use of and the lowering of the Canadian and University flags on campus as required.
About the Lowering of the Flag
The University of Toronto Scarborough has three main flags in three locations on campus.
The Canadian flag is located atop of the science wing (SW), and is subject to specific protocol as dictated by the Canadian Government (Canadian Heritage).
The University of Toronto flags are situated in front of the Arts & Administration Building (AA), and the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, and are subject to university protocol. On special occasions, the University of Toronto flag is replaced with other flags such as the Pride and Trans flags.
The Ceremonies Office arranges for the lowering of the flag for events such as the passing of a member of the campus community and occasions of national significance.
Effective April 23rd, 2020, all flag lowering announcements will be posted here. Notices will no longer be sent to campus via email.
University of Toronto flag at half-mast on Friday, October 15th, in memory of Professor Raymond Skyrme
The University of Toronto flag will fly at half-mast on Friday, October 15th, in memory of Professor Raymond Skyrme. Over his 34 year career with UTSC, Professor Skyrme made invaluable contributions to literature and linguistics that benefited his students, colleagues, and broader department.
RAYMOND SKYRME Obituary (1937 - 2021) - Kitchener, ON - Toronto Star (legacy.com)
Flags (Canada, Ontario, U of T) on all three campuses will fly at half-mast commencing today, Monday, August 9, 2021, in memory of the Honourable William (Bill) Davis
Flags on all three U of T campuses are at half-mast in memory of the Honourable William (Bill) Davis. Flags will continue to fly at half-mast until the end of day on Wednesday, August 11, 2021.
In addition to being a former Ontario Premier, the Hon. Bill Davis was an alumnus. He has a long history of meaningful affiliations and service to the University. His many contributions include being the founder and ongoing champion of OISE; a PSE system innovator; governor; champion of UTM (including serving as honorary co-chair of the UTM Boundless campaign); and more.
Click here to read the statement by the Prime Minister regarding the passing of the Hon. Bill Davis.
All flags (Canada, Ontario, U of T, and Pride) will be lowered effective immediately until the morning of Monday, June 28, 2021 in memory of the 750+ people found in unmarked graves near a residential school in the Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan
Message from Principal Wisdom Tettey in response to the discovery of 750+ people found in unmarked graves near a residential school in the Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan
I am deeply saddened by the news of the discovery of 751 unmarked graves at the site of a former residential school in the Cowessess First Nation. As Indigenous communities continue to grieve and process the atrocity represented by the deaths and burial of 215 young lives at the Kamloops Indian Residential School in Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation territory, the pain, gravity, and devastation of this most recent finding are just unimaginable. The U of T Scarborough community sends its condolences to members of the Cowessess First Nation. We recognize the tremendous and lasting impact of this devastating news.
I know that these developments are taking a heavy toll on many in our Campus community who are mourning, grieving, and seeking answers. I urge all of us to support one another and to make use of the various supports available to help us during this time. They are listed below:
Students can access supports through the University’s Indigenous Student Services while U of T My Student Support Program (SSP) offers students 24-hour confidential support that can be accessed over the phone in 35 languages, while support scheduled in advance is available in 146 languages.
Staff and faculty can access the Employee and Family Assistance Program which offers confidential short–term counselling and support for issues relating to mental health, health management, and workplace well-being. To access EFAP services, please contact Homewood Health at 1-800-663-1142.
Residential school survivors or those impacted by residential schools can access support through the Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419. It is available 24 hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their residential school experience.
The Office of Indigenous Initiatives is available to connect Indigenous students, staff, faculty, librarians, and community members across U of T.
Beyond U of T, the following resources are also available to members of the Indigenous community:
- Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council (TASSC)
- 2 Spirited People of the 1st Nations
- Anduhyaun Inc.
- Native Child & Family Services of Toronto
- Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto
- Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre
- Dodem Kanonhsa’
- Native Canadian Centre Toronto
- Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres
- Na-Me-Res (Native Men’s Residences)
- Anishinawbe Health Toronto
To offer support, you could consider donating to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS). The IRSSS is a British Columbia-based organization that strives to provide physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual growth, development, and healing for residential school survivors, families, and communities. You may also consider donating to U of T’s Indigenous Student Services at First Nations House to support our students.
In memory of the victims of the London ON tragedy, all flags on campus will be flown at half-mast on Wednesday, June 9, 2021
The horrifying vehicular attack in London ON that targeted a Muslim family and left four people dead is an offence to us all. We must do everything we can to eliminate anti-Islamic hatred, and indeed hatred in all its forms.
U of T Scarborough has a significant number of members of the Muslim faith among its students, staff, faculty and librarians. Now is a time to stand together, to support each other, and to reject bigotry and racism.
On behalf of our entire U of T Scarborough community, I wish to send my deepest sympathies and heartfelt wishes to the family of the victims, in particular the young boy who was the only survivor. To my fellow members of the community, I know this is a shocking event and the impact is tremendous. Please do take advantage of the supports that are available to you. I have listed a few at the bottom of this message.
Our commitment to inclusion at U of T Scarborough must not be just words. We cannot call ourselves an inclusive campus, society or country until we all have a place, until we all feel safe in our communities, until we all share each other’s’ successes, until we all value one another and take care of one another.
All flags (Canada, Ontario, U of T, and the Pride flags) will continue to fly at half mast until Tuesday, June 8, 2021 in memory of the 215 children whose lives were lost at the Kamloops Indian Residential School
Flags are at half mast in memory of the children who were discovered on the grounds of the Kamloops Indian Residential School in Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation territory.
The period of observance will conclude at the end of day on Tuesday, June 8, representing 215 hours in memory of the 215 children.